It is a water whose digestive virtues are praised, which many young parents have in their cabinets: Mont Roucous. But for a few days, these bottles have been rare on the shelves, since the brand apologized in place.
“We are forced to spatial deliveries from its stores,” said the company, pointing out an increasingly strong demand for consumers. But is it essential to give young children to bottled water? BFMTV asked the pediatrician Emmanuel Delmas (AP-HP).
The answer is clear according to what is also popularized on social networks: “mineral water is not necessary for the development of children, for their nutritional needs,” he decides the specialist. “Then, in itself, this shortage news is not very serious.”
“The first reflection is to consult a health professional”
The recommendations of the French health authorities on water to young children are clear. The Ministry advises tap water as a first intention, or, bottled water, provided that it verifies the label that adapts well to babies, which is not the case of all references on the shelves.
The fact is that some parents sometimes opt for these mineral waters, not for daily consumption, but to “relieve” the evils in their children.
“Often, parents think their baby is constipated, but this is not the case. The first reflection in case of doubt is to consult a health professional. But the second question is, is there an interest in taking these specific mineral waters in case of constipation?
The idea that these waters would present specific virtues extend mainly from mouth to mouth, from parents to parents, but also through social networks, in the marketing arguments of merchants and, sometimes, on the recommendations of certain pediatricians who mistakenly share “these ideas received.”
Good practices for tap water
Therefore, tap water is the best ally of parents, with some precautions. If the drinking water network is particularly monitored and qualitative in France, there are exceptions, and parents are recommended to discover at the level of their municipalities.
The other tips for maximum security are always having cold water, letting it flow for a few seconds and does not put the tap in contact with the bottle to avoid bacterial contamination.
Another remarkable element does not use a filter, either directly in the tap or in the filter decanters, which can “be very easily contaminated by bacteria and germs.”
In fact, this is what the National Health Security Agency (ANSES) concluded in its latest report, which called to exclude the use of these devices to feed babies.
It is still a stranger. If the presence of microplastics is documented in plastic and glass water bottles, tap water pollution to “eternal pollutants” becomes a matter of concern. “This is a complicated point, it is an emerging topic. There are still no consolidated data on this subject, it is difficult to give information or reassure parents,” deplores the pediatrician.
Source: BFM TV
